A Weekend Guide To Bengaluru India

Despite being known for its Information Technology, start-ups and digital advancement, Bengaluru has a lot of life and pleasant experiences to offer. The so-called Indian Silicon Valley is also referred to as the ‘Garden City’ of India. From beautiful sunrises to sumptuous South Indian meals and a glitzy nightlife, Bengaluru has it all. Here’s how you can spend an ideal weekend in the city!

Saturday

Sunrise

To make sure you begin your weekend on a tranquil note, watch the sunrise in Manchanbele Damon on Saturday morning. After a week of running around, working and finishing chores, this start to the day will rejuvenate you. Another place to see the glorious sunrise is Hebbal Lake.

Breakfast

After taking in the beautiful sight, you will be hungry! A good breakfast on a Saturday morning is the best way to gear up for the rest of the day, isn’t it? MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Room) or Shri Sagar CTR (Central Tiffin Room) in Malleshwaram are places you must visit if you want to eat epic dosas. If you are craving some more coffee after breakfast, Brahmin’s Coffee Bar is the place for you.

If you’re a book lover, Bengaluru has loads of options. Several small bookshops in Malleshwaram have a good selection of old books. The most famous bookshop in Bengaluru, however, is Blossoms. One step inside and it feels like a different world altogether. Pick a corner, pull up a chair and read for hours without being disturbed. Atta Gallata is also a great book cafe in Koramangala.

City walks

Bengaluru has plenty of beautiful buildings and localities to see and the weekend is the best time to explore them. Vidhana Soudha is probably the most beautiful structure in Bengaluru. Built in the 1950s, it has neo-Dravidian architectural elements. Right across from the building is Karnataka High Court, a red-coloured building with Greco-Roman style architecture. You can also admire the majestic Bengaluru Palace. Lastly, Church Street has fantastic art murals you can walk around and take a look at.

Vidhana Soudha is home to the State Legislature of Karnataka

The Bengaluru Palace was commissioned to build in 1874 for Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar X

Saturday night plans

If you have had your fill of art and history and are ready to dig right into Bengaluru’s nightlife, then Church Street isn’t such a bad place to start. Places like Church Street Social and Communiti Pub are fun, safe and the drinks are good.

Sunday

Brunch

If you are not the kind to wake up early on a Sunday (totally understandable!), then skip breakfast and head for some soul-filling brunch. Hole In The Wall is known for its lovely spread of breakfast and brunch options. But, it’s better to arrive early, or you might have to wait long for a table.

Pet’s day out

If you are an early riser – no matter what day it is – Sunday is a good day to take your pet out for some fun! The Cubbon Park is pet-friendly and they have fences so you can let your furry friend roam without a leash. It is a great place to let your pet run around and mingle with other animals while you exchange notes with other pet owners. Cubbon is the perfect place to sit in and enjoy the abundance of greenery that surrounds it.

Sports

If you’re not a nature enthusiast and don’t have a pet, and if playing a sport is something you’d rather do, Bengaluru has plenty of options. Many malls have rooftop grounds for soccer and a bunch of other games. Another upcoming sport in the city is slacklining! Slack.in holds slacklining sessions in Cubbon Park and in other areas. That’s a mighty good way to have fun on the weekend.

Cafés

You still have an entire day ahead of you after all that physical activity! Some might choose to go home and sleep, but if you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee, there are numerous quaint little cafes in Bangalore. You can spend some quality time at The Ants Craft boutique store and café or head to Dialogues, which charges you by the hour.

Shopping

If you are in a mood to shop, Indiranagar is a good place to start. MG Road is quite a well-known place for shopping too. The area you should visit depends on what you are looking for. If traditional, handloom weaves are on your list, older Bangalore areas like Chikpet and Malleshwaram are perfect.

Dinner

It’s almost the end of your glorious weekend and while it is difficult to bid farewell, a delicious dinner helps, albeit momentarily. Windsor Pub in Indiranagar is a great spot for some traditional Kannada food and delicious drinks. Koramangala is a good place to look for awesome restaurants as well.

Keen to explore further afield? Check out our guide to the best weekend getaways from Bengaluru.